Eden United Church of Christ Order for Worship Palm Sunday, March 25, :00 a.m.

Transcription

1 Eden United Church of Christ Order for Worship Palm Sunday, March 25, :00 a.m. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Eden United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming congregation. We believe that all people are children of God; that persons of all ages, races and sexual orientations are part of our increasingly diverse culture. We welcome all persons into the full life and ministry of this church. Children s bulletins are available upon request from the ushers. Thank you for muting your cell phone, pager, and PDA during worship. PRELUDE All Glory, Laud, and Honor arr. Lind THE LIGHT ENTERS WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT GREETING & ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Pepper Swanson (Thank you for your gift of presence and for completing a blue or peach worship card today) INTROIT Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v. 3) NCH 213 Ho-san-na in the high-est! That an-cient song is ours. We hail our great Re-deem-er and sing with all our powers: Ho-san-na, Christ, we praise you with heart and life and voice. Ho-san-na! In your pres-ence for-ev-er we ll re-joice! * CALL TO WORSHIP (All who are able may stand) Athena Guy Malloy L: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to God. R: O give thanks to God, for God is good. L: This is the gate of God; the righteous shall enter through it. R: I thank you that you have answered me, and have become my salvation. L: The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. R: This is God s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. L: This is the day which God has made; R: let us rejoice and be glad in it. 1 1 Ps. 118:19 24, Inclusive-Language Psalms: Readings for Years A, B & C (New York: The Pilgrim Press, 1987), 113, adapted for worship.

2 * HYMN All Glory, Laud, and Honor 216 * INVOCATION (in unison) Athena O God of Palm Parades and Pandemonium, as we move forward in faith, we see the meaning of life and death unfold before us in the passion of Christ. Like your first followers, our view of the future would grow dim were it not for the fact that Christ has gone before us, and cleared a path for us to Easter, Emmaus, and Eternity. Amen. * PASSING OF THE PEACE Athena L: The peace of God be with you all. R: And also with you. L: Let us greet our neighbors with a sign of peace. MUSICAL INTERLUDE Athena L: Worship will continue with the Ministry of Music. ANTHEM Mantos y Ramos (Filled with Excitement) R. Ruiz-Avila CHILDREN S GATHERING The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Invitation Questions Welcome (in unison) Today we welcome you as full partners in the ministry of Eden United Church of Christ. We promise you our continuing friendship as we share the joys and challenges of Christian discipleship, and we pray for the Spirit s guidance and grace, so that together we may grow in the knowledge, love, and service of Almighty God. Presentation E-Team Acclamation CHILDREN S BLESSING Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (v. 1) NCH 213 Ho-san-na, loud ho-san-na, the lit-tle chil-dren sang; through pil-lared court and tem-ple the love-ly an-them rang; To Je-sus, who had blessed them close fold-ed to his breast, the chil-dren sang their prais-es, the sim-plest and the best. (Children in grades K-5 are excused for the Church School. Nursery care for babies and pre-schoolers is available at any time during worship.)

3 SCRIPTURE READING Mark 11:1-11 Athena (Today s scripture lesson can be found on page 823 of the pew Bibles.) SERMON Why Are You Doing This? The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring HYMN Before Your Cross, O Jesus NCH 191 PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Pastor Pepper Jesus Prayer (in unison) Our God, in whom is heaven, blessed be your name. Your presence come, your will be done, both here and everywhere. May your realm of peace and freedom sustain our hopes and come on earth. May we be fed today with the bread that we need, and may forgiveness be ours in the same measure we give. In times of temptation, strengthen us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen. Prayer Response What a Friend We Have in Jesus (v.1) NCH 506 What a friend we have in Je-sus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a priv-i-lege to car-ry ev-ery-thing to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we of-ten for-feit, oh, what need-less pain we bear, All be-cause we do not car-ry ev-ery-thing to God in prayer. OFFERING & DEDICATION OF OUR GIFTS Invitation (Thank you for placing your blue or peach card in the offering plate) Athena Offertory Praise Him! Praise Him! Allen/Hayes * Response Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant (v. 1) NCH 539 Won t you let me be your ser-vant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my ser-vant, too. * Prayer of Dedication Athena * BENEDICTION Pastor Arlene * HYMN Ride On! Ride On in Majesty NCH 215 * PALM SUNDAY RECESSIONAL TO OLIVER HALL (The congregation recesses to Oliver Hall following the worship leaders.)

4 Worship Leaders The Rev. Dr. Arlene K. Nehring, Senior Minister The Rev. Pepper Swanson, Associate Minister Dr. Jessie Wenchieh Lo, Organist & Music Director Athena Guy Malloy, Liturgist Thomas Tyner, E-Team Representative Cindy Keune & Julie Booher, Greeter Cindy Keune, Pat Payne, Julie Booher, and TBD, Ushers Kemy Gekara & Yoselin Penado, Childcare Workers Jan Bass & Bob Turner, Church School Teachers Julie Booher, Fellowship Captain Marv Beck, Fellowship Host Linda Joost & Theressa Collier, Fellowship Helpers Allie Turner & Daniella Prym, Counters Nicolai Vetrovec, Trustee on Duty Dawn Coburn, Sunday Sexton Flower Dedication The flowers on the altar are given by Jan Bass. WELCOME Welcome to Eden United Church of Christ! If you are searching for a spiritual home, please consider becoming part of our congregation. Eden welcomes members who seek a deeper relationship with God in a caring community and who strive to make a difference in the lives of others. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism and the Rite of Church Membership four to five times yearly during morning worship. Please see one of our pastors or an usher, deacon, or member of the E-Team if you seek baptism for yourself or your child, or if you would like to be received into church membership. We celebrate infant and adult baptism and receive new members several times each year. TODAY Welcome to our new members! We will receive new members TODAY during morning worship. Easter Cards: Please take a moment to sign the Easter cards in Oliver Hall TODAY. These cards are for our shut-ins and non-resident members who are unable to worship with us on a regular basis. They are much appreciated by those who receive them. This is the last day the cards will be available to sign. UPCOMING HOLY WEEK & EASTER ACTIVITIES The season of Lent culminates with Holy Week, which begins next Sunday, Mar 20 on Palm Sunday and culminates with the most sacred of celebrations in the Christian faith the festival of Easter. Come as you are to any and all of our observances, and invite your friends and family to accompany you! Mar 29, Maundy Thursday, Holy Communion and Tenebrae Service, 7-8 pm, Pioneer Chapel Mar 30, Good Friday, 12 noon, Guided Labyrinth Walk, Courtyard Apr 1, Easter Sunday & Holy Communion, 10-11:15 am, Sanctuary; Easter Egg Hunt, 11:30-12 noon, Campus

5 COMING EVENTS Got Lilies? White calla lilies are needed for our celebration on Easter Sunday! If you have long-stemmed calla lilies blooming at your home or office, or in your neighborhood and would like to donate them for the Easter service at Eden Church, we can pick them up on Wednesday, Mar 28. Please call or text Linda Joost at for pick up. And, please cut the lilies as long as possible. Easter Fellowship: Our Fellowship Committee invites you to bring Easter-themed food items for our Apr 1 Easter Sunday s coffee hour. Boiled eggs, devilled eggs, carrot cake, egg salad sandwiches, and fresh strawberries would be warmly welcomed. For more information, contact Pat Payne or TJ Wilkinson. Community Passover Seder: Congregation Shir Ami will be retelling the story of the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery and their redemption on Saturday, Mar 31, in Oliver Hall. The Evening Service begins at 4:30 pm and will feature Passover stories and songs and will be led by the Congregation's Rabbinic Intern Mira Weller. Cost - Adults $40; Children (under 18) $15. Reservation is made by check payable to Congregation Shir Ami and mailed to: Congregation Shir Ami, Attn: Community Passover Seder, 4529 Malabar Ave, Castro Valley, CA The registration deadline is Monday, Mar 26. For more information, at events@congshirami.org Youth Group Service Projects: Save the date for three upcoming service projects for Eden Youth and for more information about any of these events, contact Pastor Pepper. On Saturday, Apr 21, youth volunteers are needed for a Habitat Restoration project at the Oakland Zoo from 9 am to 3:30 pm. On Friday, May 4, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, Eden s Youth Group will have a bake-off to provide morning treats for the Saturday, May 5 Bay Association meeting on preventing gun violence in schools (see below). Baked goods made on Friday night will be offered for a free-will donation to support a Youth Group Blue Theology trip this summer. Celebrate Caesar Chavez Day: Join Pastor Arlene and Eden s Compañeras leaders for a family-friendly celebration of Caesar Chavez s birthday, Saturday, Mar 31, 11:30 am to 1 pm on the Plaza at Hayward City Hall. The program is sponsored by the City of Hayward and will feature an invocation by Pastor Arlene, personal story telling by local farm workers, poetry readings, group singing, baile folklórico, mariachi juvenil, youth speeches about the importance of service, and greetings from the Hayward City Council. The event is free and open to the public. Traditional breads and aquas frescas will be provided for all. Keep Eden Safe: Save the date, Saturday, Apr 14, 9 am to 12 noon for our Safe Congregation training. All employees, volunteers, potential volunteers, and parents are either required or strongly recommended to attend this training by the Rev. Kibbie Ruth of the Kyros Ministry. For more information, contact either Pastor Pepper or Pastor Arlene. Eden Area Interfaith Council Ethnic Dance Festival: On Saturday, Apr 21, the EAIC will be having an Ethnic Dance Festival fundraiser to help fund their community outreach and other activities. The Festival will feature Indian, American, and Jewish folk dancing and international vegetarian cuisine. The event will be at the First Presbyterian Church at 2490 Grove Way in Castro Valley from 3 to 6 pm. Tickets are $20 per person or $35 for a families up to four members. Tickets are available at the door or online through Brown Paper Tickets website. For more information, call or info@edeninterfaith.org.

6 Promoting Safe & Hospitable School Communities is the theme of the Bay Association Spring 2018 Meeting. The event will be held on Saturday, May 5, in Oliver Hall from 9 am to 12 noon, and include worship, a panel presentation and Q&A, and breakout conversations. Come and learn from school and faith leaders why the U.S. leads the first-world in gun violence, and what in God s name faith communities can do to be an answer to the prayers we pray for the safety and wellbeing of our youth. The event is offered free of charge. A continental breakfast will be provided. A freewill offering will be received to benefit the Eden UCC Youth Group Blue Theology Retreat. Childcare for toddlers 5 th grade will be available for all who are pre-registered by Saturday, Apr 21. The Cherryland Computer Café (and homework help) will be open for all ages on a first-come, first served basis. To register for childcare or request a parent permission form for youth patrons of the Café, send to: baevents@sonic.net. SMALL GROUPS Free Yoga Class: Namaste! Free weekly bi-lingual (English-Spanish) yoga classes are offered at Eden Church from 6 to 7 pm on Tuesday nights in Room 201 (across from the Jensen Room). Please use the West Wing (FESCO) entrance. For more information, contact Tania Martinez. Seekers Book Club: Our weekly book discussion group is reading Lab Girl by acclaimed scientist Hope Jahren each week on Wednesdays at 10 am in the Fireside Room. On Friday, Apr 6, the Seekers will have a field trip to hear the author talk at the Castro Valley Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Pastor Pepper. Bible Study: Curious about the lost coin? Wondering about the barren fig tree? How about the prodigal son and his father? Eden's Bible Study group began a new series on the parables of Jesus. Come to either our daytime session at 10 am or our evening session at 7 pm. Spring dates for both the morning and evening sessions include: Mar 26 (morning session in Community Room, evening session in Fireside), Apr 9 & 23 and May 7 & 21. For info, contact Dianne Dorn or Keith Smith. Single Women s Group: Single women meet for fellowship and lunch on the first Friday of every month. The next meeting is Friday, Apr 6. For information, contact Daniella Prym. ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Cherryland Computer Café Hours: The spring semester café hours will be as follows: Monday and Tuesdays, 4 7pm, and Comida Wednesdays, 1:30 4pm. Eden Church Childcare Policy: Eden Church makes a reasonable attempt to provide childcare during Sunday worship, congregational meetings, and Taste & See Gatherings without a special request. The church also makes a reasonable attempt to provide childcare for church-sponsored meetings/events. To request childcare for your family or for a church meeting/event, contact Pastor Pepper at pepper@edenucc.com.

7 This Week At-A-Glance Palm Sunday, March 25 9:00 9:45 am Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 10:00 11:15 am Palm Sunday Worship Sanctuary 11:15 12:30 pm Fellowship Oliver Hall 11:30 12:30 pm Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 11:30 12:30 pm Sunday Counters Library Monday, March 26 10:00 11:30 am Bible Study (morning session) Community Room 4:00 7:00 pm Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room 7:00 9:00 pm Bible Study (evening session) Fireside Room Tuesday, March 27 4:00 7:00 pm Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room 6:00 7:00 pm Free Yoga Room 201 Wednesday, March 28 10:00 11:00 am Seekers Fireside Room 1:30 4:00 pm Comida Para Cherryland Oliver Hall 1:30 4:00 pm Cherryland Computer Café Norberg Room Maundy Thursday, March 29 7:00 8:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service Pioneer Chapel Good Friday, March 30 12:00 1:00 pm Labyrinth Walk Courtyard Easter Sunday, April 1 9:00 9:45 am Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 10:00 11:15 am Easter Sunday Worship Sanctuary 11:15 12:30 pm Fellowship/ Egg Hunt Oliver Hall 11:30 12:30 pm Music Rehearsal Sanctuary 11:30 12:30 pm Sunday Counters Library Mar 26 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Apr 1 Apr 3 Apr 3 Apr 6 Apr 8 Coming Attractions Mark Your Calendars! New or amended items are in bold & italics. Bible Study Apr 9 Bible Study Free Yoga Apr 10 Free Yoga Comida para Cherryland Apr 10 Trustees Meeting Maundy Thursday Worship Apr 11 Comida para Cherryland Good Friday Labyrinth Apr 14 Safe Congregation Training Easter Sunday & Easter Egg Hunt Apr 15 ESLO Church Council Meeting Apr 17 Free Yoga Free Yoga Apr 21 Youth Oakland Zoo Restoration Seekers: Lab Girl Author Talk Apr 21 EAIC Ethnic Dance Festival Youth Group Apr 23 Bible Study Apr 24 Free Yoga